Apparently, everyone is ready for 2016 to be over. I don’t blame them.

Sound Transit officials spent millions to convince people in our gridlocked region that we should want additional light rail and spend the next three decades paying for it with a higher sales tax, tripled car tab fees, and new property taxes. Just last month, that huge tax proposal passed in the Sound Transit taxing district, with King County carrying nearly 70% of the "yes" votes. 

With Sound Transit’s new taxes, starting next year:

• If you go shopping in Seattle, you will pay over 10% sales tax.
• If you own a $10,000 car, you will pay $110 instead of $30 for car tab fees.
• If you live in a $500,000 home, you will pay $125 annually to Sound Transit.

If you live in an apartment, your rent will likely increase, as your building’s landlord pays more in property taxes. So, if you’re dependent on transit and your apartment and job are in the city, prepare for Sound Transit to potentially tax you out of the city and away from transit.

And of course, if you live in the path of proposed light rail like many home and business owners in Federal Way, prepare to pay Sound Transit the aforementioned regressive taxes and also lose your home or business to eminent domain.

While 2016 may have been bad, we get to pay the price in 2017. So, drink up on New Year’s Eve, because the 2016 hangover will begin the next day.